Jim Root, college basketball writer for The Athletic, complied a list of the best nonconference games of the season, and two of UCLA's games made the cut, one if which is being played next week. Let's take a look at the games Root selected and what he had to say about them.

College football Week 9 odds, picks, predictions, TV channel, streaming for UCLA Bruins vs Indiana Hoosiers Big Ten game on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

The Big Ten Conference and its television partners have put the Nebraska-UCLA game on Saturday, Nov. 8 on a six-day hold.

Mick Cronin and the No. 12 UCLA Bruins officially tip off the highly-anticipated 2025-26 season against the Big Sky's Eastern Washington Eagles. Backed by UCLA's star-studded transfer portal addition of Donovan Dent, the Bruins' ceiling is higher than it's been in recent season, and yet Westwood still has its fair share of doubters.

Cornerback Jamare Glasker intercepted UCLA (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) quarterback Nico Iamaleava in the third quarter and returned it eight yards for a score. Maryland picked off the sophomore twice and boasts 14 interceptions this season after snagging only nine last year. The Terps’ plus-11 turnover differential ranks atop FBS schools.

Lauren Betts scores 21 points, Gabriela Jaquez contributes 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and the Bruins pull away in the third quarter for a 77-53 win at the Honda Center.

The Bruins have called the Rose Bowl home since 1982, when they moved there from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—a venue they long shared with crosstown rival USC. They are currently the stadium's sole regular sports tenant outside of its eponymous bowl game, and have been since the Galaxy relocated to Carson, Calif., in 2003.

It doesn’t help that the team generally stinks. Either way, UCLA has a long-term lease. Unless there’s a legitimate way to exit it early, UCLA is stuck. It’s smart and appropriate for the city and the Rose Bowl Operating Company to seek legal relief aimed at keeping the football program from ignoring its contractual obligations.